When we retired last night, we thought that we would face rain showers and heavy wind when we awoke. The outlook was grim at best. Our expedition leader had prepared us for a day of potential plan B, plan C, etc. We were filled with hope because Iona and Staffa Islands are major stops on our trip around the British and Irish Islands. Iona is the place where St. Columba made his mark in the world, and it is the home of a beautiful abbey and a historical convent. It is a magical place with history, beauty, and a link to the past. Our afternoon destination was Staffa Island, an island made of columnar basalt and home to one of the most darling creatures on Earth, the Atlantic puffin. As is often the case, the weather was wrong. We thought Iona would be a go, even if it were to be a wet one. It is difficult to make a landing on Staffa even on a good day, so we knew it was a stretch. By the end of the day, though, we were blessed with wonderful weather and even more wonderful experiences.
5/8/2025
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National Geographic Explorer
The West Coast of Ireland
Today marked the day we entered Irish waters, and we were incredibly lucky to continue being graced with the most uncommon weather for the British and Irish Isles – calm seas and clear, sunny skies! These spectacular conditions made for a wonderful morning spent watching dolphins ride the bow of National Geographic Explorer. We enjoyed smooth sailing for our presentations, including a fantastic talk about Climate Justice and the Climate and Nature Crisis by the amazing Mary Robinson, the first female President of Ireland. After lunch, we visited the Aran Island of Inishmore where we enjoyed wonderful hospitality on the small island of less than 800 people. We admired the spectacular views from the steep sea cliffs near Dun Aengus. To round out a delightful first day exploring the coast of Ireland, we carried on cruising with calm sea conditions, the stunning cliffs of Moher on our port side, and a glowing sunset on our starboard side.